The Eastern Forest Natsume and Matoba talk of the latter desiring Natsume to join him, as having the only grandchild and direct descendant of Natsume Reiko on his side would surely make the Matoba clan a spiritual force to be reckoned with by yokai and fellow exorcists alike. When the conversation does not go the way he wants, Matoba orders Natsume to be returned to the prison cells, but manages to escape on Madara who had succeeded in reclaiming the Book of Friends. Along with his other demon companions in "the Dog Circle", Natsume helps the six monkey-masked demons living in the forest get their peaceful master, Lord Rokka, back from the nefarious Matoba Seiji's sights. Once released due to Natsume's arrival earlier, Lord Rokka apologizes for his subjects actions towards Natsume, as he was never after the Book of Friends, and watches as Natsume and the others leave, thus settling the matter. Nanase reminds her young master of how just dangerous and powerful Natsume can become, as even the combined strength of their greatest yokai servants alone were not capable of hurting him. Matoba Seiji assures her that there are many ways to accomplish things. Back at high school, the monkey yokai Natsume had helped apologizes for making him act strange in front of his human friends.